Metascore®Mixed or average reviewsbased on a weighted average of allcritic review scores.

20

out of 100

Wall Street JournalJoe Morgenstern

The movie drills itself into our skulls, which are all too vulnerable to such an assault, though I must say my brain glazed over and my heart turned adamantine while the stupidities of this action thriller played themselves out.

Parents need to know that this comic book prequel isn't as tween-friendly as the earlier X-Men movies. Although many of the mutants are pretty indestructible, the action is still bloodier than in the previous films, thanks to the fact that much of it is carried out with the slashing edge of a claw, talon, or blade. There's also war violence, gunplay, a decapitated animal, and scary/grisly images of medical experiments, as well as kids being taken captive. Also expect mild male nudity (non-sexual shot of bare buttocks), and some drinking and swearing ("s--t" is as strong as it gets).

Families can talk about whether the violence in this movie has more impact than that of the earlier X-Men movies. Why or why not?

How are Wolverine's fights different than those of characters with different powers/abilities? Is he comfortable with his strength? How does he control it?

The film seems to be saying that you can make the choice to not kill an enemy -- but is that message clear amid the high body count?

Discuss the appeal of comic book movies. Why do audiences like them so much?

The good stuff

Messages: The messages are a little mixed. Although the film's ultimate message is that mercy is better than vengeance and that human beings and mutants can make the choice not to kill, this realization comes after a lot of people (and mutants) are killed. Teens are taken captive to participate in medical experiments.

Role models: Wolverine steps up and becomes a leader.

What to watch for

Violence: Frequent, brutal comic-book violence, as well as real-world shootings, stabbings, and more. There's not a whole lot of blood (most of the mutants are indestructible), but characters are beaten, blown up, shot in the head, slashed with swords/claws, and impaled with blades/claws. There are human casualties, including characters who are close to Wolverine. A decapitated animal is seen, and there's another bloodless, special-effects decapitation. There's also war violence (from the Civil War to the Vietnam era) and vivid, graphic medical/experimentation imagery.

Sex: A committed couple cuddles and makes out. A young woman is seen being abducted by a soldier, presumably for sexual purposes, but he's interrupted. Nude male buttocks are shown in an action-scene context.

Consumerism: Tie-in to vast quantities of related merchandise. A few minimally visible brands, including Everlast, Budweiser, and Chevrolet. The film is being extensively cross-marketed, including a "Got Milk?" ad.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: An unlit cigar is chewed on and then shot out of a character's mouth. Characters drink beer and hard liquor.

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